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Colby, Kansas — July 18-20, 2008

7th Annual Pickin' on the Plains

Contest

The Youth Bluegrass Contest takes place annually on the Saturday of the festival at 9:30 a.m. on the main stage.

Pre-registration is encouraged and may be done by telephone or email to the Colby Convention and Visitors Bureau (1-800-611-8835 or 785-460-7643) or colbychamber@thomascounty.com. At the festival, contest registration is available at the "Pickin' on the Plains Information Booth". Registration deadline is 9:00 a.m. on the day of the contest. There is no entry fee charged.

Bluegrass Youth Talent Contest
Rules and Procedures

DIVISIONS:

  • Instrumental
    • Ages 12 and under
    • Ages 13 - 19
  • Vocal
    • Teen (Ages 13-19)
    • Youth (Ages 12 & under)
  • Band - Ages 19 and under (2 or more in group, vocal or Instrumental)

PRIZES:

Prizes are awarded in each category as follows:

Vocal & Instrumental Categories
Youth - Ages 12 & Under
Teen - Ages 13-19

  • 1st Place: $75
  • 2nd Place: $50
  • 3rd Place: $25
Band Category
Ages 19 & under (two or more people constitute a band)
  • 1st Place: $150
  • 2nd Place: $100
  • 3rd Place $50

RULES:

Each contestant:
  1. Will perform 2 songs, the total time of which shall not exceed 8 minutes;
  2. Will perform on instruments usually associated with bluegrass music; (instrumental & band categories)
  3. May have one back-up musician for rhythm only (for vocal or solo instrumental categories only.) The backup musician may not sing or play any instrumental breaks. Band category may not have a backup musician.
  4. May enter in more than one category.
BANDS:
  • Will be any group of two or more, and may play instrumentals and/or sing;
  • May not have any members who are performing as contracted musicians in this years' festival.

PROCEDURE OF CONTEST:

  1. All contestants must register by 9:00 a.m. the day of the contest
  2. There will be no entry fee charged.
  3. Order of sign in will be order of play, unless any contestant requests a draw for order of play. In that case, a random drawing will be held to determine order of play. Contestants will forfeit their place in the contest if he/she fails to show up at appointed time.
  4. Contestants may announce their songs if they prefer, or announcer may do it for them.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

  1. Relatives of contestants may not be judges.
  2. No audience ballots or applause meters will be used.
  3. No recorded music may be utilized.
  4. Contestants will be judged according to the following categories:
    1. How well material reflects bluegrass/folk style (however does not have to be traditional style)
    2. Tightness of performance (intonation and articulation)
    3. Originality of arrangement
    4. Stage presence/appearance
    5. Talent
  5. TIEBREAKERS: In the event of a tie, the first tiebreaker shall be the highest number of points awarded in the Talent category. The second Tiebreaker shall be the highest number of points awarded in the Stage Presence/Appearance category. The third tiebreaker shall be a secret ballot by the judges.

Pickin' on the Plains
Bluegrass Youth Contest Committee